Pages

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Using the Bridge to Protect Your Neck in Kenpo

The
Bridge is a maneuver for those attacked and choked from the back. There may be
times when an opponent attempts to control your neck and head from the back and
it is necessary to take evasive action in order to protect yourself. The key
point is to gain some leverage and control over the opponent’s actions while
forcing a take down or solid immobilization of the attack.

Putting
the hands up and grabbing the wrists of the opponent helps to ensure that they
are not able to maneuver your body in any direction they desire. Where the neck
and head goes the body generally follows. Grabbing the wrists offers the
ability to leverage against being forced into certain positions.

Immediately
one should swing their right shoulder in and under while stepping behind their
left foot while forcing the opponent’s left arm over and away from your head.
This ensures that the opponent no longer has any control over your body.
Likewise, the opponent is left in an awkward position where both their arms are
crossed and their body is partially twisted reversing the mechanisms of control.

Stepping
forward will pushing their right arm into their left elbow creates a lock that
forces them to fall down to avoid breaking their arm. Light pressure will force
a take down while greater quick pressure will create a break. The opponent will
fall in front of you leaving other maneuvers or escape possible. In Kenpo the
code of honor is to remove oneself from the situation.

Bridge A (Opponent has two
handed choke hold from behind)

-In
single motion grab both of opponent’s wrists with both hands (hand on each by
reaching overhead).

-Bow
your head and step off to the left.

-Step
behind your left food with your right foot as you turn right creating a bridge
(crossing of opponent’s arms).